From Our Contributors, Sports

Knicks Burned in Miami

Randle Ditches The Media Again After Loss
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
 
 
By Andrew Rosario
 
 
Robinson Leads Miami in Blowout of Knicks
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
 
When the New York Knicks visited the Miami Heat, they were two teams going in different directions. The Knicks were coming off a loss on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It dropped their record to 25-23, 5 and 5 in their last 10 games. Meanwhile the Miami Heat we’re coming off a win over the Los Angeles Lakers winning 12 of their last 16 games. Miami entered the game in first place (South East Division) with a record of 30-17.
 
The Heat came out on fire hitting 3 straight three pointers to start the game, outscoring the Knicks 13-2 in the first 4 minutes of the opening quarter. Miami extended the lead (20-8) after a P.J. Tucker lay-up finishing out the quarter 30-16. The second quarter would get no better even though New York outscored the Heat (30-29) taking a 13 point deficit into the second half. The wheels completely fell off from that point on. 
 
Tucker scorched the Knicks with 11 third quarter points and veteran guard Jimmy Butler added 7 as Miami went up by as many as 28 (81-53) taking a 92-67 lead into the last quarter. New York did outscore Miami 33-21 in the fourth but the damage had already been done in the 110-96 thrashing. 
 
 
 
 
The struggle continued for forward Julius Randle as he finished his night with only 11 points on 5 of 12 shooting missing his 3, 3-point attempts. Once again, Randall did not speak with the media afterwards. RJ Barrett had 17. If there was a bright spot, Obi Toppin came off the bench and scored 18 points. 
 
Second year head coach Tom Thibodeau was asked if changes in the starting line-up will be considered. “We’ll see,” he began, “The thing is, it’s not just the starters. The bench did some good things but we need everyone to play well.”
 
Miami’s Duncan Robinson led all scorers with 25 points connecting on 9 of 13 shots including 7 3-pointers. Butler and Tucker finished with 22 and 20 respectfully. Tyler Herro chipped in 20 coming off the bench as the team drained a total of 16, 3-pointers. 
 
Things are not going to get any easier for the Tibbs team as they travel to Milwaukee Friday night to take on the reigning NBA champion Bucks. The Giannis Antetokounmpo (26 points) team are coming off a loss (115-99) to the surging Cleveland Cavaliers who nailed 19, 3-pointers. It was Cleveland’s 8th win in their last 9 games.